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Suzanne Isidor
Suzanne Isidor, a former letter winner and head coach at Penn State University, became the fifth UC Davis head women’s lacrosse coach in the program’s varsity era on August 24, 2017, and enters her seventh year at the helm of the Aggies in 2024.
In June of 2023, Isidor inked a five-year contract extension that will keep her in Davis through the 2028 season as she was chosen to lead the Aggies into the Pac-12 era.
From 2017 to 2021, the three-time Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Coach of the Year (2018, 2019, and 2021) has continued to make strides with the program, guiding UC Davis to a 32-21 overall record and a perfect 6-0 record in league play. The Aggies saw upticks in the win column every season since her arrival, improving from six victories in 2017, eight wins in her debut season, and nine more in 2019.
After finishing 3-3 through six contests — including wins over Pacific-12 Conference rivals California and Oregon, as well as an upset of a Georgetown program that was ranked as high as No. 19 in the preseason coaches polls — before the COVID-19 pandemic cut the year short in 2020, UC Davis embarked on one of its best seasons in the spring of 2021.
The Aggies wrapped up the year with a 12-4 overall record and laid claim to their first MPSF Championship in school history, defeating Fresno State by the score of 23-13. The 12 victories were the most since the 2004 squad finished 12-5 overall, while the four straight campaigns with a better than .500 record marks the longest such stretch since 11 straight years from 1997-2007.
All told during her tenure, 12 student-athletes have gone on to earn a total of 18 All-MPSF honors — including two-time MPSF Player of the Year Taylor Cuenin (2018-19) and 2021 league player of the year Maddie Myers.
The Aggies have accomplished themselves in the classroom, as well, earning a total of 57 MPSF All-Academic Team honors during Isidor’s four years, including a record of 20 following the 2021 campaign. In addition, six of her student-athletes were named to the IWLCA’s Academic Honor Squad — the most for the program since 1997 — and earned the organization’s team academic award for only the second time in the history of the program, joining the 2015 team.
Before taking over the Aggie helm, Isidor directed the Davis Lacrosse Association from 2012 to 2017 and served as a consultant for Tenacity Lacrosse Club. However, she was best known in the collegiate circles for her tenures at Drew University (1996-2000) and Penn State (2000-2010), where she combined for a 140-101 NCAA coaching record.
Originally from Annapolis, Maryland, Isidor (formerly Suzanne Weinberg) played four years for the Nittany Lions from 1992-95, helping her team to three NCAA postseason appearances including a semifinal finish as a senior co-captain. She garnered IWLCA Regional All-America (now known as IWLCA All-Region) distinction in that final season, then began her coaching career a year later as an assistant at her alma mater. One year later, Isidor received the opportunity to take over as head coach at Drew.
In four seasons in the Garden State, Isidor guided the Rangers to a combined 56-15 record, four straight Middle Atlantic Conference championships plus an NCAA Division III tournament berth in 2000. She won a pair of MAC Coach of the Year awards, plus a South Atlantic Region Coach of the Year nod in 1997. Isidor mentored six All-Americans during her stint at Drew, including three-time honoree Karen Townsend.
Then in 2001, she made her return to Happy Valley, this time as the head coach. Isidor served 10 seasons at the Penn State helm, compiling an 84-86 record and leading the program to NCAA tournament appear-ances in 2001 and 2005. Isidor also chaired the Tewaaraton Award and IWLCA All-Region selection committees, served on the NCAA Regional Ranking Committee, and chaired Penn State’s Athletic Council for Diversity and Inclusion.
Although her official affiliation with UC Davis began in the fall of 2017, Isidor was no stranger to the university. Her husband, Dan, joined the UC Davis staff in 2012 as an assistant dean with the College of Biological Sciences, and more recently assumed the post of executive director of principal gifts for the Development & Alumni Relations office. Suzanne continued to coach upon her arrival in Davis, first with the DLA then with Tenacity Lacrosse Club.
Suzanne and Dan Isidor reside in Davis with their three sons: Jackson, and twins Evan and Luke.
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